Butter serving appliance



Oct. 8, 1940.

R. J. MILLER 2,216,980

BUTTER VSERVIIHG APPLIANCE Filed June 4. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l ea and colal /nsu/ahon 8, 1940. R. J. MILLER BUTTER SERVING APLIANCE Filed June 4, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

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Patented Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED lSTATES.

PATENT OFFICE BUTTER. SERVING APruANoE Robert J. Miller, Chicago, Ill. Application June 4, 193s, serial No. 211,932`

1s claims. (o1. s1-2o) My invention relates to butter service ap-A plianceaand more particularly to the type suity able for use in homes, and my main object is to provide an appliance of this kind whichy is sufliciently small and light to be placed on a dining table for the handy serving of butter prtions in the form of squares, yet with a sufficient capacity for average family use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an appliance of the above character which carries its own chilling unit and is sufficiently insulated to maintain the butter in proper 'condition.

A still further object of the invention is to include in the novel appliance a butter receptacle which is of simple design and readily removable for. purposes of refilling and cleaning.

Another object ofl the invention is to construct the appliance with a mechanism which o is almost entirely confined to one side of the butter receptacle, so as to have no communication with the same or a tendency to affect or contaminate the butter.

An additional object of the invention is to include in the novel appliance a feedwhich loperates by a single stroke at the front of the appliance and is effective to eject a square of butter each time upon a plate or other support.

Another object of the invention is to combine a frontal element for the butter feed which forms a closure for the appliance while it is not in operation.

A still further object of the invention is to include a connection between the butter receptacle and the chilling unit, whereby to lock the 'butter receptacle from removal or accidental departure while the chilling unit is in the position of service. An important object of the invention is to employ parts which are few and simple in the 50 in a. position to serve a square of butter;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the appliance with the lcover removed;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the appliance when not in operation;

'55 Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the mechanism of the appliance, whereby to enable positions of lthe parts when a. feeding strokel is taken and also a change in the chilling unit; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail of an ejecting element in feed mechanism.

In providing an appliance of the type under 5 consideration, several factors of vital importance -must be considered. One is that the butter must been deficient in one or the other of the respects 20 outlined, and it has therefore been my intention to combine all possible advantages in the present appliance, whereby the same may provel to be an article of high merit.

In accordance with `the foregoing,'specic ref- 25 erence to the drawings indicates the casing of the appliance at I0, the same being shaped somewhat like a toaster or similar article andis formed preferably of illuminum to save weight. The casing may be formed with corner fillers lI or 30 other means to receive screws I2 for a lid I3. On opening the lid, it is noted that the casing has an inner compartment I4 having side Walls I5 and 20 and a rear wall I6. Between the side walls and the sides of the casing are lodged slabs 35 or fillers I1 of cork or other heat-insulating material; and the space between the bottom of the compartment I4 and the bottom I8 of the casing is occupied by an insulation filler I9. The lid I3 carries a closed chamber 2| within which is 40 also lodged a, filling 22 of the insulating material. Finally, an insulation filling 23 is lodged in the space between the wall I6 and the rear wall 24 of the casing. It is 'thus evident that the top, sides, rear and bottom of the casing are heat-insulated.

In the upper portion of the chamber I4 the wall I5 carries a shelf 25, the latter terminating spacedly from the opposite side wall 20. The shelf 25 is adapted to receive over it a channelshaped receptacle 26 for a quarter-pound section 5o of butter (notshown), the receptacle being preferably of highly polished or enameled aluminum. The receptacle 26 carries a thickened base 21 which has a tongue 28 toward the wall I5 to freevly interlock with a channel 29 carried by the 55 shelf 25, this relation enabling the receptacle to be slid forwardly and rearwardly relative to the shelf. Also, with the casing formed to an'ord an opening in front-as will be later explained-it is possible to slide the receptacle 25 out of the casing by way of such opening.

'I'he receptacle 26 carries a transverse yoke 38 over its open top, one side of the yoke being short as indicated at 3| and the other side 32 extending down to terminate with a. short inward flange 33 under the receptacle. The yoke is thus rendered slidable along the receptacle; and its forward portion is bent down into the receptacle as indicated at 34 to form a backing for the butter section. i It is my intention that the yoke 38 form a periodical forward feed or pusher for the butter section in order that the latter mayv beladvanced each time through a distance corresponding to the thickness of the conventional individual butter square, that is, approximately V4 inch. 'I'his is accomplished by the partial downward movement of a lever 35 pivoted at 36 to a bracket 45 riveted at 46 to the side wall 28. The free side of the shelf 25 carries a longitudinal channel 31 which is open at the top to slidably seat a ratchet rack 38 whose teeth 39 slope rearwardly. The rack has a slide pin 48 which extends in front of a dwell 4| formed in the underside of the lever 35. This dwell extends with a forwardly rising cam 42, then with a, further dwell 43 from which the lever takes a sharp turn 44 in a forward direction. 'I'he normal position of the lever 35 is indicated inFig. 4, the lever being backed against a limiting lug 41 carried by the side wall 28 and so maintained by the pull of a spring 46a between the corner of the lever at the turn 44 and a lug 48 carried by the wall 28. Also, as noted in Fig. l, the front wall of the casing has an opening 61 formed therein. The lower edge of the opening 61 has a vertical slot 49 at one side. 'I'he upper edge of the opening 61 forms a limit for the rise of the lever 35 in response to the pull of the spring 46a.

By reference to Fig. 4, it will be evident that the initial depression of the lever acts-through the cam 42 to propel the rack 38 a short distance forward, and that thecontinued depression of the lever accomplishes no further effect upon the rack,.owing to the dwell 43. However, the side pin 48 conveniently forms a stop limit for the lever when it has accomplished its full downward stroke, as seenin Fig. 5.

'Ihe forward movement of the rack mentioned above is intended to accomplish the feed stroke of f the yoke 38, and thisv is done by the agency of Aa pawl 58 carried by the yoke. formed with a return flange 5I from the front on The latter is the side facing the wall 28; and the pawl 58 is freely mounted on a. pivot pin 52 between the flange and the side 32 of the yoke. The pawl is rearwardly directed to enga-ge one of the ratchet teeth 39 by the upward pressure of a small spring 53 against a heel portion 54 of the pawl. Thus, the pawl 58 forms a connection to push the yoke 38 forward when the rack 38 takes the forward stroke previously explained. This stroke is resisted by a spring 55 between a side pin 56 of the rack 38 and a bracket 51 carried by the rear wall I6. Therefore, when the lever 35 is released and automatically rises to its initial position, the pull of the spring 55 upon the rack also returns the same to its original position but does not affect the position of the yoke 38, since the rack simply trips the pawl against the light resistance amano of the spring 53. Thus, it is possible by repeating the previous movement of the rack to accomplish the progressive forward movement of the yoke 38. It will now be apparent that, with the yoke originally set at the rear of the receptacle behind a section of butterl each down stroke of the lever 35 will accomplish the feed anticipated.

It is of course necessary to sever the forward end of the butter section at a point to denne the individual butter square, and this action is instituted immediately after the forward feed of the section has been attained, by the further downward movement of the lever 35 from the partially depressed position. Thus, on the downstroke the lever first causes the forward feed of the butter section, and then accomplishes the severing of the individual butter square; and on the up-stroke the lever permits the return of the rack 38 to its original position.

'Ihe severing or cutting of the butter is accomplished by a wire 58 tautly clamped by screws 59 between a. pair of brackets 68 bent rearwardly from a cross-plate 6|. 'I'he latter is vertically slidable behind the front wall of the casing; and it is drawn upwardly by a spring 62 (Fig. 2) which extends from a lug or the like (not shown) carried by the cross-plate to a bracket 64 extended from the side wall 28 of the inner compartment. 'I'he cross-plate 6| has a slot 65 at one side to permit the passage of the lever 35 to a position in front of the casing, where the lever receives a suitable finger piece 66. The depression of the latter thus causes the lever to bear down upon the bottom of slot in cross plate 6I after travelling the length of the slot during the advance of yoke 38. Further downward movement of lever 35 slides the plate 6| downwardly with the wire 58 carried thereby to accomplish the severing of vthe individual butter square by the wire 58. The lower limit of movement of the lever 35 allowed by lever-travel-pin 48 is calculated to permit the wire to be carried down somewhat belowthe floor of the butter re-'g ceptacle, so as to assure a full cutting stroke. As the butter section remains stationary during the return of the lever to its original position, nothing will be in the way of the cutting wire 58 during such return.

Provision is made to support and eject thc severed butter square from the front of the casing. vFor this purpose, such front is formed with the aforesaid large opening 61 for which the cross-plate ,6l forms a closure when the lever 35 is in the normal or top position. However, when the lever is depressed to induce a butter disipensing action, the frontal opening 61 is gradually uncovered, so that the severed butter square comes into view. It is understood that the front end of the butter section-which later becomes the severed butter square-lies over a shelf 68 (Figs. 4 and 6) directed rearwardly from an ejector-plate 69 which is pivoted by means of side ears 18 to a pair of forward brackets 1I carried by the shelf 25, such brackets having stops 12 to prevent the plate 69 from swinging inwardly beyond the vertical position. However, the plate is capable of being swung outwardly to the inclined position indicated in Fig. 5, this being done by the pressure of a finger 13 carried on the inner side of the cross-plate 6I upon a lug 14 directed forwardly from the ejector-plate at a point slightly below its pivot line.

On the down stroke of the lever 35, the ejectorplate is not affected until the moment the cutter wire 58 has fully severed the individual butter t swing Vforward and carry with it the severed butter square,vthis action occurring because the square alone rests on the shelf 88 of the ejectorplate and is therefore carried by the latter. It follows that the down swing of the ejector-.plate causes the butter square to be carried to a position of delivery over the plate or other receptacle that may be placed in front of the appliance: also, the highly favorable leverage of the nnger 13 relative to the ejector-plate 88 imparts a quick l throw to the latter so that any tendency of the butter to stick or lag in its delivery is overcome.

In the construction of the casing front it will be possible to have little or no opening when the appliance is not in operation, so that air from the outside may not enter to impair the emciency of the cooling unit. In fact, wherever no interference will be had with the movements of parts or the dispensing action heat insulating material will be provided, to more fully insulate the appliance.

When the periodical forward feed .of the butter section has caused the last piece to be delivered, the yoke 30 is in the front end of the butter receptacle 28 and forms a bar in case a new section of butter is tobe deposited. r It is thus necessary to remove the receptacle and yoke, and this is easily done when the casing front is open-as in Figs. 2 and 5by grasping the yoke and receptacle between the fingers and drawing them forward out of the casing. Nothing in the structure so far described will prevent this action, since the pawl 50 will `simply trip over the last few teeth of the rack 38. When the assembly of the yoke and receptacle has been taken out, the voire may be slid off the receptacle in case either one or the other is to be cleaned or washed, and when the yoke is replaced it is of course slid back to a position over the rear of the receptacle in order to permit the new butter section to be deposited in the latter. With the pawl 53 in the depressed position urged by the spring 53, it is impossible to carry the yoke back into the casing, since the teeth of the rack 38 present an impediment. Therefore, before the assembly of the loaded receptacle and yoke is reinserted into the casing the pawl 50 is manually lifted to trip the hump in the spring53 and seat the'heel 5l of the pawl in a terminal hollow 18 of the spring. The pawl is how suillciently high to clear the teeth on the reinsertion ofthe receptacle assembly. However, as the receptacle reaches its rear limit, a lug 11 projected fromV a bracket 18 carried by the compartment wall 20 bears on the spring 53 in a forward direction to release the heel of the Vpawl 50 from the depression 18 and permit the pawl to fall of its weight into engagement with the toothed rack profile 39. Obviously, as the first push is exerted by the rack on the pawl, the yoke 30 is moved forward beyond the influence of the lug 11, permitting the spring 53 to resume its influence upon the pawl to keep the latter in engagement with rack.

It is significant that the butter receptacle 26 has a peculiar relation to the shelf 25. Ordinarily it might be assumed that the receptacle could simply seat upon the shelf between suitable side guards to prevent its lateral deviation. However, the fact that the yoke must have a sufficient bearing to prevent binding or uneven action requires that it extend a considerable distance around the receptacle, as more particularly delined bythe side 32 and bottom `flange 33 of the yoke. For this re on, the receptacle is formed withthebase21 s astoraisetheyokeandaccommodate the flange 28 referred to. On the opposite side the elevation of the receptacle permits the interlocking slide joint 28-2-8. The latter is necessary in order to counteract'the tendency of the rack 38 to lift the receptacle on the corresponding side through the pushing influence upon the pawl 58; Consequently, the slide joint of the receptacle with the shelf 25 also acts as a retainer to keep the receptacle level.

The lower portion of the compartment il forms a chilling chamber and accommodates a vessel 18 containing cracked ice. The vessel is slidable in' and out as indicated by the full and dotted dented at the rear as indicated at 88 to accommodate a handle 8| in an internal position, so as to have nothing project from the rear end of the appliance. As it is essential to have a partial if not complete filling of cracked ice in the chilling chamber to maintain the butter in proper condition, I have `made the supplying of a. new butter section subject to the prior inspection of the ice container 18. Thus, the shelf 25 carries a longitudinal spring blade 82 on its underside, such blade having an upbend 83 and a side lug 83a at its forward end; The front of the ice container 18 is made with an upward extension 84 backed by a block 84a which, when the container is fully inserted, bears upwardly .on the blade 82 to `position its lug 83a in front of a. projection 85 carried by the receptacle 26 opposite the wall I5. Thus, the lug 83a prevents the receptacle from being withdrawn from the casing until the ice container has been withdrawn at least partially from' the rear thereof. ,This releases the blade 82, so that the same drops sufiiciently-as indicated in Fig. -to clear the projection 85 and permit the receptacle to be re' moved. Thus, the inspection or refilling of the ice container is a prerequisite to the relling of the butter receptacle, assuring the maintenance of the new butter section ina properly chilled condition.

It will be evident from the above descriptio that I have provided an appliance which is of a light and portable character, to be placed on a dining table or buffet for immediate service during a meal or for a buffet lunch. The appliance makes it possible to serve the butter in individual amounts usually recognized as sufficient for the average meal or lunch, so that one person does not take more butter than the other and then leaves it uneonsumed or wasted. In the present instance, where the person requires or is accustomed to a larger portion of butter, it is a simple matter to dispense or serve an extra square of it. Thus, the butter is not only economically served but is cleanly served without being handled or touched by any person. At the same time it is not open to the air but is maintained constantly in a chilling atmosphere, preserving its quality. The standard quarter-section vof butter furnishes quite a few individual squares. Thus, one section is usually lsuilicient for a days meals in the average family, making a refilling daily sufiicient. Froma mechanical standpoint, the appliance utilizes a simple feed which is away from the acne of butter passage, so that a lubricant or moisture carried by the moving parts will not pass into such zone to contaminate the butter. 'I'he cutting or severing action vis secured by the direct downward stroke of the lever 35, such stroke being favorably di- `line positions in Fig. 5; and it-is preferably inrected for manual pressure with a minimum amount of exertion. No other controls are involved in the operation. so that the butter is quickly served and with no particular attention to any part of the appliance other than the lever 35. The butter electing device is entirely` automatic in action and is accompanied by the closing of 4the casing front immediately after a butter square has been served, in order to keep the appliance closed as much of the time as possible. 'I'he parts entering into the mechanism are of a simple character, permitting the appliance to be manufactured economically and to operate indefinitely without attention or repair. Finally, the appliance is of a nature to be made along sanitary, practical and attractive lines, whereby to form a useful and ornamental article in the home.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or rene- -ments may be made therein from time to time without departing from its principle, and I consider all such changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. In a butter sewing appliance, a casing having an open front, abutter receptacle within the casing, a periodical forward feed forthe` butter, a horizontally-pivoted lever to'actuate the feed in a partial downstroke and extending forward through the casing front to present a handle, a cross-plate forming a closure for the casing front and in the downward path of the lever, and a severing element for the foremost portion of the butter carried by the cross-plate, the descent of the latter procuring the severing action and uncoveringA the casing frontfor the discharge of the severed butter portion.

2. In a butter serving appliance, a butter` receptacle, means to place the butter therein with its foremost portion projecting from the receptacle, a shelf for said portion, means to sever the latter from the remainder of the butter, a carrier for the shelf, and means actuated by the severing operation to throw the carrier forward into a p0- sition to discharge said butter portion.

3. In a butter serving appliance, a casing having an open front, a cross-plate forming a closure for the latter, a control to open the cross-plate, a butter receptacle within the casing, means to place the butter with its foremost portion projecting from the receptacle, a shelf for said portion, a carrier for the shelf, a cutter carried by the cross-plate and effective to sever said portion from the remainder of the butter .when said cross-plate control is actuated, and means actuated by the severing operation to throw the carrier forward into a position to discharge said butter portioniby way of the opening created by the cross-plate in the casing front.

4. The structure of claim 3, said carrier being pivoted and said'carrier throwing means comprising a lug on the cross-plate, and a projection on the carrier in the path of said lug when the cross-plate undergoes its opening movement.

5. The structure of claim 3, said carrier including an upright section serving as an abutment for said butter portion when the carrier is thrown forward.

6. 'I'he structure of claim 2, said carrier being normally upright and assuming a forwardly-inclined position when thrown.

'1. In a butter serving appliance, a casing having an outlet, a butter receptacle within the latter and removable'through said outlet, a chilling vessel in the casing, a lock to prevent the removal of the butter receptacle. and a control operated by the withdrawal of the chilling vessel to release said lock.

8. In a butter serving appliance including butter receptacle, a pusher slidable thereon to advance the butter out of the same, a pivoted pawl on said pusher, a reciprocable ratchet rack, and a spring on said pusher normally engaging said pawl to maintain the same in a position to engage said rack, whereby reciprocation of the latter imparts step-by-step movement to said pusher; said pawl being movable to a position to clear said rack, and said spring including means :fr holding said pawl in said last named posi- 9. The structure of claim 8, a casing for said receptacle, pusher and rack, and means on said casing for automatically releasing said pawl from said spring to permit the return of the same to said rack engaging position when said pusher is moved to its starting position at the rear of said r receptaele.

10. The structure of claim 8, a casing for said receptacle, pusher and rack, and a lug carried by said casing, said lug being engageable with said spring to compress the same and permit the return of said pawl to said rack engaging position when said pusher is moved to its starting position at the rear of said receptacle.

11. In a butter serving appliance, a casing having a front opening, a butter support within said casing in alignment with said opening, means for imparting a step-by-step feed to the butter towards said opening. actuating means for said feed means, a cross-plate forming a closure for said opening, and a severing element carried by said plate and adapted to sever a chip from the front end of the butter, said plate .being engageable by said actuating means after the completion of a step of the feed to move said plate to uncover said opening and simultaneously sever a chip from said butter.

12. In a butter serving appliance, a casingahaving a front opening, a shelf in said casing in alignment with the lower edge of said opening, a butter receptacle carried by said shelf, means connecting said shelf and receptacle together and adapted to permit sliding movement of saldreceptacle towards and away from said opening, means locking said receptacle against said sliding movement. and means for advancing butter relative to said receptacle towards said opening, said last means including a butter engaging portion and a portion atleast partially surrounding said receptacle to slidably connect said butter advancing means thereto.

l13. The structure of claim 12, a chillingvessel in said casing, and aUcontrol for said locking means operative to release said receptacle to permit sliding m'ovement thereof upon at least a partial withdrawal of said chilling Vessel from said casing. l

14. The structure of claim 7, said lock including a spring arm normally biased to receptacle locking positionby said control.

15. In a butter serving appliance including a casing having a front opening, a shelf in said casing in alignment with the lower edge of said opening, and a butterreceptacle slidably carried by said shelf; a pusher slidably connected to said receptacle, a pawl carried by said pusher laterally of said receptacle'. a reciprocal rack alongside said receptacle and operatively connected to said pawl for imparting step-by-step movement to said pusher, and overlapping means providing a connection between said receptacle and said shelf adapted to prevent lateral twisting of said receptacle as a result of the thrust of said rack.

16. In a butter serving appliance including a casing having a front opening, a shelf in said casing in alignment with the lower edge of said opening, and a butter receptacle slidably carried by said shelf a pusher slidably connected to said receptacle, a pawl carried by said pusher laterally of said receptacle, a reciprocal rack alongside said receptacle and operatively connected to said pawl for imparting step-by-step movement to said pusher, and a connection between said receptacle and said shelf for preventing lateral twisting of said receptacle as a result of the thrust o! said rack, said connectioncomprising interengaging L-shaped anges carried -by said shelf and receptacle.

ROBERT J. MILLER. 

